4: 1957

In 1957 the British Caravan Road Rally event became a victim of the Suez Crisis and was cancelled. Due to political unrest in Egypt, supplies of oil from the Middle East were in short supply.

The UK government announced the introduction of petrol rationing with regular motorists being limited to only enough fuel to travel 200 miles (321 kilometres) per month. Before the rationing began drivers flocked to garages and began panic–buying petrol. For a short time British roads and garages were deserted and motorists were hit by a sharp increase in petrol prices.

21: 1974

In 1974 the event was given a new name – The Caravan Club International Road Rally – to reflect the wider appeal beyond Britain.

However, the newly‑named competition was beaten by an oil crisis that created a ban on motor sport. As the result of a disagreement between the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) and the United States, oil prices soared and supply was disrupted.

The dispute ended in March 1974, in time for the Road Rally to take place in its planned April slot. However, The Caravan Club had already taken the decision in February to cancel the event.

24: 1977

By 1977 it had become clear that there was little future for The Caravan Club International Road Rally. Costs to take part in motoring events had risen while changes to the road section of the competition made damage to cars and caravans increasingly common. This was a risk many did not wish to take.

In the short time between 1973 and 1976 the number of entrants had halved and by 1977 The Caravan Club Executive Committee took the decision to cancel the event. Out of the ashes came the National Track Tests at Silverstone which hosted the manoeuvrability tests and Concours d’Elegance which were formally part of the Road Rally.

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